Potapenko O. Improving Friction Oscillation Damping Elements in the Spring Suspension System of Freight Cars

The dissertation is devoted to solving a topical problem of applied character – increasing performance of the spring suspension of freight cars by improving friction oscillation damping elements. The paper substantiates and proves applicability of the improved design of the friction wedge-type oscillation damper and the spring suspension system. There have been created and proposed the classification of design features of friction wedges developed and implemented in Ukraine and abroad. The proposed design has been an object of a complex experimental and computer research: stress-strain, strength, tribological and dynamic properties of its elements. There have been developed and presented the methods of experimental studies: stress-strain state of elements of the friction oscillation damping elements in the spring suspension system; strength properties of the researched design; bench comparative tests of friction wedges on structural integrity and destructive load, tribological properties of the material using the designed equipment. It has been confirmed that the design change of the friction oscillation damping elements in the spring suspension system of the freight car bogie leads to decrease in stresses under the influence of external loads by 28% in the “empty” state and by 12% in the “loaded” state. The computer model of the open-top freight car, which, unlike the existing one, has been improved taking into account the design changes in the friction oscillation damping elements in the spring suspension system.